International Fife and Drum Concert

by C. Clark

FREE ADMISSION FOR NIAGARA, ERIE & ORLEANS CO. RESIDENTS

Tue, Sep 8th 2015 11:20 am

For
immediate release

(September
8, 2015) Youngstown, N.Y. - Old Fort Niagara will host a concert featuring four
international fife and drum ensembles on Monday, September 21, and is offering
free admission to the fort and concert on this day to residents of Niagara,
Erie and Orleans County. The ensembles, which are from Belgium, France, Italy
and the United States, will perform at 11 a.m.

"Old
Fort Niagara will resonate with the high notes of fifes and the sharp beats of
drums for some truly unique performances," said Robert Emerson, executive
director of the fort. "We are excited to host these four ensembles and look
forward to welcoming a large crowd from our regional community to watch and
listen to their concert."

Fifes
and drums have been used in the military for hundreds of years. The shrill tone
of the fife and the beat of the drum can be heard over long distances, making
them excellent instruments to be used for military communication in an age
before radios and cell phones. As part of a soldier's training, he learned the
many battlefield and camp signals that regulated daily life. Following the
American Civil War, the bugle largely took over this role, phasing fifers and
drummers out. Today, however, there are still many global fife and drum corps
that perform in parades and at historic sites in a ceremonial capacity to keep
this form of martial music alive.

Niagara,
Erie and Orleans County residents are reminded to bring identification that
shows their residency, which will admit them free on this day. The fort will
open at 9 a.m. with the concert at 11 a.m. The fort will close at 5 p.m. with
admissions ending at 4:30 p.m.

Calendar
of Upcoming Events:

September
21, International Fife and Drum Concert

October
17 and 24, Haunted Fortress (tickets on sale now)

November
6, French Heritage Day

December
5 and 12, Castle by Candlelight

January
9, 2016, Twelfth Night Ball

Old
Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is located in Fort Niagara State Park in
Youngstown, N.Y., which is 14 miles north of Niagara Falls via the Robert Moses
Parkway North. The fort is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (admissions end at 4:30
p.m.). Old Fort Niagara is a Registered National Historic Landmark and New York
State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association (a
not-for-profit organization) in cooperation with the New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Hours of Operation

The Fort is open year round with the exception of New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Jan - June 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

July - Aug - 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sept - Dec - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Please note: Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time.

Support the Fort

Old Fort Niagara is operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association, an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1927. We do not rely on tax dollars. Instead, the Fort is funded through a combination of admission fees, museum shop sales, and charitable contributions.

Keep up to date on Old Fort Niagara events and happenings! Sign up here for our e-newsletter.

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Visit the Fort

If
you visit during one of our special events, you'll meet reenactors who
faithfully recreate the lives of past Fort garrisons and depict the
struggles that led to the birth of the United States and Canada.
If you visit during the off season, you'll enjoy self-guided or audio
tours and hourly musket demonstrations in addition to the many exhibits
and period rooms throughout the Fort. Why not make plans to visit the
Fort today? You'll experience a unique blend of authenticity and drama
that brings history alive.